Secrets at Sans Souci

"Stealing" from another thread here...I saw this with CN and thought I would try to start one for CSS. We will be arriving at CSS on May 6th (first timers to Jamaica) and I would LOVE to hear from past guests what are fun and exciting things to do that aren't necessarily advertised or marked as the typical "excursion"...whomever gives what I consider the best answer and will be there between May 6th and May 11th, I will buy you the best drink available!! (Its a joke, I know its all-inclusive) :P

Fun & exciting things to do?
We enjoyed snorkling by ourselves on the small beach by the mineral pool side.
Finding the hidden hot tubs
SSB!
Having dinner at Bella Vista (no special/fancy clothes required except a Tshirt, no tank tops), get a table closest to the sea, listen to the Mento band.
Bob Marley shots!

•Take a bike ride around the pond behind A block.
•Find hidden hammocks.
•Have Edgar make you an omelet.
•Have snacks delivered to your room... Great to have before your afternoon nap.
•Get a massage in the "Drift Away" I think that's what the spot is called at the bottom of Charlie's Grotto... it opens up to the small private beach where Melvin76 snorkels. Sea to your right, and Charlie's waterfall to your left. Heaven.

Enjoy your trip! We're looking forward to going home to CN this June, but we'll be home to CSS in April 2016.. and already can't wait!!

One of the coolest things I have experienced there is stopping at the pond at day break. Usually during the day you will see many birds and turtles and so on, but right at daybreak, the pond comes alive with activity you won't see during the day. There must have been around 8 or 9 egrets or herons, and about the same number of pelicans all flying over the pond looking for fish. There are so many fish in that pond, the waters would come alive with them swimming near the surface as the birds are flying over. The most active time for wildlife at the pond.

We arrived when it was dark so to us it was going out at first light on our first morning on our first ever visit to the Caribbean - my wife had forgotten to turn off her phone so got a call at around 4am so as we were both wide awake and full of excitement we set off soon afterwards cameras in hand and wandered around the resort whilst no one else was up and around each corner we came across something fabulous, whether it be a flight of steps through the trees, a hammock, a lizard, an unusual plant, a fantastic view, a pond with turtles, great beaches etc etc. We were both like awe struck kids !!!! but it gave us a fabulous feeling that we had indeed found something akin to paradise and having reeled us in with its charms we are venturing across the 'big pond' (Atlantic) from 'Blightly' (England) for a second time again in less than 6 days. Can't wait!!

All great suggestions!! You guys are giving me some great ideas to add to the beauty and romance of this trip!!...Novastar, you have given me a great idea...I am planning on proposing while at CSS and I think (since she is a huge nature lover) an early morning proposal at the pond may just be the route I go!

ok peeps....we have a proposal coming!!! Need advice!!!! The pond is a great spot early morning but c'mon. you gotta be more romantic than that!!! What I would suggest is book a private dinner on SSB as it includes a private waiter AND chef and you will be there all alone. After dinner they give you a Chinese lantern to light up and let float up into the sky. Me thinks that as you do that and she is watching it float up into the star lit sky, you step back without her noticing, get on one knee and wait for her to notice you there holding up to her a ring.
Anyone else wanna chime in on this with what they think would be a good place/time to make that life long commit to the love of your life???

A CSS proposal...how perfect! As a girl who is head over heels with my husband and has been since our first date, I can tell you that whatever you do for her will be perfect and everything she has always dreamed of. You have chosen the most romantic place on earth to propose and I think anything you choose to do will be perfect....having said that the Chinese lantern idea is pretty special!

proposal.

Originally Posted by mgul18

All great suggestions!! You guys are giving me some great ideas to add to the beauty and romance of this trip!!...Novastar, you have given me a great idea...I am planning on proposing while at CSS and I think (since she is a huge nature lover) an early morning proposal at the pond may just be the route I go!

There is a beautiful gazebo looking over the ocean. That would be the perfect location. Early in the morning. Make sure candles are lining the way from the end of the stairs to the gazebo early in the morning (I'm sure the staff will help you). As you are gazing out over the ocean with no one there, read her a poem or something you wrote about her. Then get on one knee and finish the deed. She'll never forget it. The other option is to go shell hunting on the beach early in the morning.... Tell her you want to see if there are sea turtle hatchlings (the do have them at ssb sometimes). What girl can resist that.... That will make her volunteer to get up at 6. Find a random shell and put the ring inside when she's not looking. Say "oooh" I think you'll like this one. And hand the shell to her. As she examines it, she will find a ring inside! Totally unexpected. When she finds it and is a little puzzled, get on one knee and and do the deed... There you go.

Making sure to give Spaghetti and Linguini a hug! (insiders know what I'm talking about).

I miss them!! And Sasha! I can't wait till we go back and get to see them again!

When we did our private dinner, we did not get a lantern. We had talked about doing that, but we were told it would cost like $15 for a lantern.

Proposal ideas... I have never been on it, but I know they have a nature walk available. If she really loves that kind of stuff, maybe you could arrange something with the resort ahead of schedule, and propose to her on the walk... The private dinner is a SPECTACULAR ROMANTIC time. You could do it in the wedding gazebo, with the jungle on one side, the ocean on the other, waves crashing on the cliffs beneath you, and tree frogs chirping above you.

Wow...I knew I came to the right spot...you guys and gals are giving me some really great ideas!...i really like tewkewl's idea as she has already mentioned how cool it would be to see sea turtles!

I also think the private dinner is incredibly romantic...maybe do the dinner and make her think that I am going to propose but wait until the next morning and do the turtle egg thing?! Get the best of both suggestions...

Wow...I knew I came to the right spot...you guys and gals are giving me some really great ideas!...i really like tewkewl's idea as she has already mentioned how cool it would be to see sea turtles!

I also think the private dinner is incredibly romantic...maybe do the dinner and make her think that I am going to propose but wait until the next morning and do the turtle egg thing?! Get the best of both suggestions...

My only additional suggestion for the sea turtle thing is.... find a shell before hand. keep it in your pocket. JUST in case there are no shells that morning!

Wow...I knew I came to the right spot...you guys and gals are giving me some really great ideas!...i really like tewkewl's idea as she has already mentioned how cool it would be to see sea turtles!

I also think the private dinner is incredibly romantic...maybe do the dinner and make her think that I am going to propose but wait until the next morning and do the turtle egg thing?! Get the best of both suggestions...

And another thing! I meant Sunset Beach when I said beach. I believe if you go that early, it is still a non nude beach =)

Private dinner on SSB is how I proposed last year and it was perfect!! finished off the evening by releasing the lantern and watched it fly forever over the ocean!
Now having said that...only you know what is the most important to you and your future fiancé. a romantic early morning walk by the pond, and while she feeds the turtles you go on bended knee could be your version of perfection. What I am trying to say is there are so many beautiful places at CSS that your proposal will be magical no matter how/where you do it!
Good luck!!

Great thread mgul18! You've already heard from my darling wife (Sunkissed) but here's my two cents. First the proposal... I think there have been some great ideas already, but here is another option. In my humble opinion, a proposal is a special and private moment between two people who are simply mad for each other. Therefore, I recommend an approach that guarantees that there will not be any unintentional interruptions from unknowing staff or other guests. First, you need to book a room up in the cliffs with a great view (I recommend "D" or "G" block). Then, one day during your trip, surprise her with an appointment at the spa for some treatments that you think she might like (facial, mani-pedi, massage, whatever, they're all great!). You can call the spa before your trip to make all of the arrangements. While she is getting pampered, you head back to the room and set the stage. You know the drill... champagne, candles, some soft music and flower petals everywhere! When her treatment is complete, have a member of the staff at the spa deliver her a love note. At the end of the note, tell her to come back to the room. Then, its showtime! My advice is to "pop the question" on the balcony with a killer view of the Caribbean Sea. Good Luck!

Once the "big event" is over and she is wearing her new ring, here are some of my favorite "Secrets at Sans Souci":
- Talking with "Crackers" the parrot - located behind the beachfront suites (near the pond).
- Late night walks in the cliffs while listening to the tree frogs.
- Sitting on the patio at Cassanova and enjoying the cocktail of your choice after a great dinner.
- Chatting with the fantastic staff every chance you get. Talk to everyone - bartenders, maids, waitstaff, front desk people... even the gardeners - you'll be glad you did.
- Take a walk around the pond (as previously stated, early morning is best).
- And last but certainly not least, take a midnight swim in the mineral pool (warm up in the "hidden hottub" when you're done). This is a must!

Finally, although there are some great off-resort activities in Ocho Rios, don't feel obligated to do anything. My wife and I have spent dozens of nights at CSS and we have never left the place once! CSS is truly a magical place that you and your new fiancee will love!

Sunkisser's idea is perfect! Just one clarification though, I don't think you can book the spa appointment for her until you are at the resort. But you can always do that while she is in the shower! or somewhere out of earshot:-) Also, there is a Romance Package where the staff sprinkle rose petals and have candles lit when you return to the room! My hubby did it for me for my birthday!!! Congratulations and I wish you many years of happiness!!

Love these suggestions. It will also be our first time to CSS (and Jamaica) in May, but we're there the 13th through the 22nd. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!! I just have to make it through the semester (I'm university faculty). One of my students went to Ochi for spring break last week. Let's just say I was green with envy.

"We enjoyed snorkling by ourselves on the small beach by the mineral pool side." This is actually on the top of my list (along with relaxing in a hidden hammock... simple pleasures). I want to make sure we can find the "hidden" beach. How do you get to it?

As for the proposal idea, I love the idea of an uber romantic dinner (perhaps arousing her suspicion) but then actually proposing early the next morning on the beach, looking for baby sea turtles, ring in shell, etc. But full disclosure, I have a wicked sense of humor...

Here is my 2 cents worth.
Sometimes, we go over to SSB at midnight and climb up into the lifeguard stand. It is pitch black over there, very peaceful, and you can see millions of stars. Bring a drink and just spend 30 minutes with each other. One time, the security guard walked by and didn't even know we were up there!

You can propose there, but if you drop the ring, it will be the shortest engagement in the history of Jamaica!!...

please tell us what you actually did to propose. and you get to the hidden beach by finding the old sauna. ask the staff where it is. no one uses it and it doesn't work. the entrance to that beach is right next to the arches (there are some arches below the level of the mineral pool). you have to go down the stairs to get there. the other entrance is by the gym (actually off to the side, but on the same level as the gym. you take the stair down to the beach. but there are A LOT of sea insects and little crabs around there on the stairs, as well as seaweed and stuff. so you better wear sea shoes. the "beach" is not actually a beach where you lounge around. it's submerged in shallow water. here is a link to a picture that I found of the arch entrance to the private beach:

The hidden beach is by the Drift Away arch on the other side of the beach you were snorkeling from on the spa side. It is a wonderful spot to be alone at times and in front of the mineral pool is great for swimming. My wife's favorite spot is the mineral grotto so we will get a couple loungers for the beach area right in front of it. Only 27 days until we will be home to try our new snorkel gear and enjoy paradise.